The smile of the dolphins
The Howlers have started their morning routine, as I lie dreaming to sleep after an evening of insomnia. Listening to the cries that holler through the jungles whilst slowly, the moon is passing behind fearsome cloud. It's been an interesting evening. I never thought pure nature would give me the real Dolby Surround experience I was looking for!
Amazing how the rains fall heavy in these parts of the world. I've never witnessed such force coming from the skies. And the miracle every morning when it all just seems to disappear into the fading darkness as light once again rules the day. It's time to get up, grab my swimming gear and head up for the breakfast I was already wishing for hours ago. The sun has returned and it's going to be a big day!
As usual breakfast was delicious. I am handed a cooler stuffed with huge sandwiches, some fresh fruit and a brownie. The driver is waiting for us at reception and we climb in the 4x4 heading out on another adventure. We drive to Puerto Jimenez, make a last refreshment stop and then make our way towards the small pier that walks out into the harbour where our two hosts are waiting for us. Josh and Tino are quick to make you feel welcome onboard. Josh started by making us all feel safe. He gave us an intro and within five minutes we were heading out onto the waters of the majestic Golfo Dulce, where the salts of the pacific collide with the sweet waters coming from the Osa Peninsula. It was a beautiful day!
Our boat was something quiet unique with 'highchairs' hanging over the water on either side of the bow. Things couldn't get any better! With water barely touching the souls of my feet, the wind screaming through my hair as the boat eager to plane sweeps me up high, I spread my arms out and feel like a am flying. That's when Josh spots the first school of Dolphins and wakes me from my daydream. Just when I though things couldn't get any better they just did!
The boat didn't even get the chance to plane. We hadn't even left the harbour and we were surrounded by a group of dolphins. They were playing around the bow of our boat and looking straight at us with their smiles visible. It was another amazing experience I shall never forget!
The day continued as we made our way across the gulf towards an animal wildlife sanctuary called The Caña Blanca Foundation. Here we got to see first hand what organisations such as this one, (many scattered all over Costa Rica) are doing for the local wildlife. Injured animals from all over the country are brought Caña Blanca because of their great reputation, good facilities and remote geographical setting. We got to meet a great variety of animals that had been saved from all types of circumstances. I must admit it was sad seeing the animals realising that some of them would never return to the wild. But it was the best place they could have hoped to be in their situation!
We got back on board with Josh and Tino and headed around the gulf towards the mangroves. Josh really knew his stuff and answered all our questions with ease! He spotted a spotted eagle ray cruising past the boat and then we slowly headed deeper into the mangroves into croc territory. Although we didn't see any crocs, it was obvious they were everywhere. Masters of disguise waiting patiently as prey comes just an inch closer. It was an airy feeling!
At one point Josh pointed to a branch and asked us if we could see the bird. We all couldn't see anything! Eventually Tino took the boat closer so that whilst standing on the bow we were just half a meter away. Still, no one saw a thing! Finally josh showed us what we were looking at and we were all left speechless! The branch we were looking at was in fact the bird itself! This very rare find was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. Never have I stood so close to a living creature of that size without being able to see it! Absolutely astonishing!
After a long day out on the water and a day full of activities we were all ready to go home. We had seen Dolphins, all the animals at the sanctuary, saw the beautiful spotted ray and the most camouflaged bird I have ever seen called the Potoo. We had a great lunch and a cool snorkel afterwards and I couldn't have asked for a better crew on board! I must be honest in saying that during my stay at Lapa Rios, I enjoyed the dolphin tour so much. I did it twice!
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